The marking scheme

Pieces/songs are first marked out of 30 using the marking criteria, which are the same as those used in our graded music exams. These criteria guide the examiner’s approach to writing comments, piece by piece, while listening, and are used to award a single mark out of 30 to cover all works presented.

After it has finished, the performance as a whole is then marked out of 20, using a second set of criteria. Here the examiner assesses the entirety of the performance in terms of overall musical communication, interpretation and delivery.

The combination of the two marks awarded (one out of 30 plus one out of 20) provides a total mark out of 50, giving a result in one of four categories, as follows:

Result category

Mark band

Distinction

45 – 50

Merit

40 – 44

Pass

34 – 39

Below Pass

17 – 33

The total mark determines the ARSM result; there is no need to achieve a pass in each assessment area to pass overall.

Our approach to marking

In all ABRSM exams, our examiners mark upwards or downwards from the pass mark, rather than deducting marks from the maximum or adding marks from zero. When awarding marks, examiners balance the extent to which control of the qualities and skills listed in the marking criteria is demonstrated and contributes towards the overall musical outcome.

Using the two sets of marking criteria, our examiners assess the quality of the performance as generalist musicians, rather than as instrumental or vocal specialists, enabling examiners to mark consistently across all instruments (including voice). Using the approach outlined above, they assess and mark the musical performance, not the technical means used to achieve it.

Other requirements

If ARSM exam requirements are not adequately fulfilled, we may have to make mark deductions or disqualify candidates. Examples include:

Further information about ARSM

Supporting the teaching and learning of music in partnership with the Royal Schools of Music:Royal Academy of Music | Royal College of Music | Royal Northern College of Music | Royal Conservatoire of Scotland